A CAMPAIGN group for 24/7 cardiac care in University Hospital Waterford has described the appointment of a construction contractor for a second Cath Lab there as "great news" for the people of the South East.
Willie Doyle of the '24/7 Cardiac Campaign' group said that all along, the HSE's position is that we can't have 24/7 services here without a second Catherisation Lab.
He said when this second facility is completed and commissioned, there is no excuse for why a round-the-clock service couldn't begin immediately.
"This would bring us in line with every other region in the country," he told Maria McCann on Deise Today. "Why should we be any different?!"
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein Health spokesperson and Waterford TD David Cullinane described the development as a hugely positive and important "stepping stone" to a full 24/7 service.
"In my view, there was no chance of a transition to a 24/7 service unless we had a second cath lab," he told the programme.
"It's taken a long time to get here, but we're here now. It doesn't address the issue of 24/7 services but now we can build on this and make a realistic proposition that we need to move to a full 24/7 service."
David Cullinane said he recalled the first very first meeting held between local Oireachtas members and the Health Minister (then Simon Harris) and the Department of Health.
He said they were told at this meeting that a second cath lab was just not possible so they had to make arguments for it. He said to the to the Minister's credit, he did eventually make a decision that this would happen.
David Culllinane also said the success regarding the second cath lab was down to the "coming together" of both Government and opposition representatives in Waterford and credit was due to all in this "successful strategy".
It was confirmed on Thursday afternoon that a construction contractor has been appointed to build the second lab
Tom O’Brien Construction will be on site in the first week of May to begin the project. The Waterford based contractor has a significant track record in delivering healthcare projects across the regions, according to Waterford Minister of State Mary Butler who also welcomed the development.
You can listen back to the David Cullinane and Willie Doyle on Deise Today this morning by clicking below here...
You can listen back to the full Deise Today from this morning, meanwhile, by clicking below here...
